Britain is behind much of the rest
of the developed world in “freedom of information” laws.

America has had FOIA since 1966. Australia,
New Zealand, Ireland and other European countries have long had “freedom
of information” laws, all of which differ in their detail. Sweden was
the first country in the world to enact FOIA –
in 1766.

The European Commission operates a code of
access to information. Non-Britons can use the UK FOIA; non-American citizens
can use the US FOIA; non-Irish citizens can use the Irish FOIA; and non-European
citizens can use the EC access system.

In addition, British citizens can obtain information
about themselves under the data protection act that would be exempt under
FOIA, and, similarly, American citizens can obtain information about themselves
under the US privacy act that would be exempt under FOIA.

More than 50 countries have comprehensive
“freedom of information” laws, with many more working on proposals
to introduce such provisions. There has been a large growth in such laws across
the world in the past ten years as countries recognise their importance in
properly functioning democracies.

The FOIA Centre can make requests under any
“open-access” law throughout the world on behalf of clients.

To find out how we can help you with FOIA
and open-access information in the UK and elsewhere, click here.